DETROIT — Detroit area boxing needed a TV outlet to showcase its group of professional fighters and now it has it.

Kaltsas Productions, along with SoundQue Multimedia of Trenton is putting together a TV package of local fights which will air on Xfinity Channel 900 on Comcast cable.

The TV package will help showcase local fighters, beginning with a Nov. 27 fight show at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.

Unbeaten junior middleweight and rising star Tony Harrison (16-0) of Detroit, along with former WBO junior middleweight champ and current UBO champ Bronco McKart, former welterweight contender Marlon Thomas (39-8) and upcoming middleweight Leandre White (5-0) are among other fighters on the card, which would be broadcast on a tape delay basis Dec. 5 on Comcast.

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“We’ll tape delay it and show it seven or eight times and then we’ll go in for it live,” said George Kaltsas, who admits a risk of live attendance at his boxing shows taking a hit.

“It’s better for these guys. It’s going to attract more people. It might hurt attendance, but in the long run it’s the way to go.”

The shows will be viewed beyond Michigan borders.
“We have 1.7 million subscribers in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana,” said Frank Mazzella, president of SoundQue Multimedia.

Meanwhile McKart, who turned pro more than two decades ago, is working on his next career. He is currently a candidate for Monroe city council.

There’s only a few days before election day and the campaigning is over for McKart. But not the boxing, even at 42 years old.

“It’s my passion, I love it,” said McKart (55-10, 33 KOs). “I still believe I have the talent and skills to compete at a high level.”

Harrison, who trained at the high elevation of Big Bear Lake in California — he was helping middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin prepare for his Saturday bout against Curtis Stevens — recalls the workouts, sparring and training there.

“When you walk up the stairs, you’re gasping for breath,” said Harrison, who praised matchmakers for getting him a credible opponent.

With his unbeaten record, finding opponents is difficult for Harrison. “You don’t understand, guys are 15-1, 20-2, we call these guys out ... and they want a lot of money (or back out). That’s why we have to thank the matchmakers.”

White, who fought a couple weeks ago at Motor City Casino and won, is looking to improve his stock with every outing. “I’m hoping for a six-rounder,” said Blue, who wants to showcase his boxing ability. “Three and four rounders aren’t long enough.”

Thomas, who returned to the ring in September at the Masonic after a two-year layoff, was lukewarm about his victory. But he promised a different approach this time. “One word — attack,” said Thomas, known as “Trouble Man.”

Cruiserweight Demetrius Banks (1-0) will continue a pro career which started late. Banks is 33 years old, “but I’m a young 33,” he said. “I got four kids (and) I fight for my kids.”

Ed Williams will try to improve on his 3-0 record as a welterweight and Ronnie Austion is prepared for his professional debut, also as a welterweight. “The first right you’re going to be nervous,” he said, “but we’ll make it work for us.”

Bantamweight Anthony Gallerani, of Livonia, won his last fight by KO and gets a former MMA fighter as an opponent this time.

He said MMA fighters tend to throw looping punches so the stragetgy is to “make him pay and get him out of there,” said Gallerani, who’ll bring a 3-0 record to his next fight.

About the Author

Marvin Goodwin has written stories and columns for The Oakland Press since 1978, and he covers boxing, cross country, wrestling, track, and feature topics. He lives in Pontiac. Reach the author at marvin.goodwin@oakpress.com
or follow Marvin on Twitter: @MarvinGoodwin.